I groan, my head flopping down until it’s almost hitting the table. I slide a napkin in front of me and then proceed with the headbanging minus the gross table germs. Why am I doing this? Why do I care if Ben sees me on another date?
Other than being nervous that Gabe’s plan will backfire, I’m actually having a good time. There’s no karaoke tonight so Idon’t have to worry about listening to mediocre singers while I eat my plain burger and fries. And conversation with Gabe is easy. Probably because this isn’t a real date so I don’t feel like I have to pretend to be having fun.
“Fine. But you have to distract me. Who are you trying to forget?”
Gabe’s eyes narrow. “I can’t tell you that.”
“Why not? Is it someone I know?”
He thinks for a moment. “I don’t think so…? I’m not sure when your paths would have crossed.”
“Then I think you can tell me. It’s not like I have anyone that I’m going to tell.”
“What about Ben?”
“What about Ben?” I repeat.
“You won’t tell him?” Gabe clarifies.
I scoff. “Ben’s on my shit list. I won’t tell him.”
Gabe takes a slow sip of his beer. I can see the moment he decides he’s going to let me in on his secret. “She’s one of Bex’s friends.”
“I see.” I don’t see. “And Bex wouldn’t want you to date her?”
“It’s not that. I don’t think? I’ve never really asked Bex, if I’m being honest.” He fiddles with his glass, rolling it between his hands. “We almost?—”
Just then, the door to Louie’s slams open. Benoit Bardot stands there, backlit in the dim bar. I try not to smile when Gabe mutters, “That was quick.”
Ben storms over to our table, grabs Gabe by the collar and utters a sentence I am simultaneously turned on and mortified by. “What the fuck are you doing here with my wife?”
“Your what?!” Gabe and I ask at the same time. Well, Gabe kind of chokes it out because Ben has such a tight grip on his shirt.
I jump out of the booth and start smacking Ben on the arm. “Let him go, you lunatic! It was a joke!”
Gabe’s hands are up in surrender as Ben continues to stare at him. His grip slowly loosens until Gabe shoves him the rest of the way off. “A joke?” he asks in a daze.
Gabe looks at Ben as if he has three heads. “Yes, Brother. A joke.”
“I told you this was a bad idea,” I say to Gabe.
Ben stands there for a beat, looking between the two of us. Finally, he turns toward Gabe. “We’ll talk at home. Sorry about your shirt.”
Then, he turns toward me. His eyes are full of mischief as he closes the gap between us. “If you wanted my attention, Red, all you had to do was ask.”
Before I can respond, Ben bends down, throwing me over his shoulder. He lands a smack on my ass that I’m one hundred percent sure everyone in the bar sees.
But Ben doesn’t give a single fuck. And he carries me that way all the way up to his apartment.
We both enjoy my punishment.
My attempt at avoiding Gabe over the next few days is unsuccessful when he corners me early one morning as I’m coming out of the bathroom.
“Can’t a man shower in private?” I ask, attempting to squeeze past Gabe and head to the kitchen.
“Negative, Brother. We need to chat.”
“As, uh… ominous as that sounds, can I at least put some clothes on?” I nod down at my bare torso, towel slung low across my hips.
